Louisiana Association for the Blind aims to serve more children

The Louisiana Association for the Blind in Shreveport is putting on a camp for children with documented visual impairments. The week-long day camp is designed for school-aged children in the Caddo-Bossier area, and it’s the first of its kind in northwest Louisiana. Shelly Taylor, CEO of the Louisiana Association for the Blind, said this camp will strengthen youth services at her organization.

“We once had a very active children’s group, and then with so many of the children who are visually impaired being mainstreamed in the schools, we sort of lost that group of children," Taylor said.

About 10 children are signed up for the camp that will include practicing mobility using the long white cane and mastering new independent living skills. Amanda McCary, work readiness and job development specialist, said she's planning a camp where fun activities are intermixed with important life skills.

“There are just so many things that they might miss out on because they have people take care of things for them," McCary said. "But, they need to learn how to be independent so that when they get into the real world, when they go to college, when they go to work, they have that confidence.”

The camp runs from July 29 - Aug. 2 at the Louisiana Association for the Blind's Low Vision Rehabilitation Center. It is being offered at no cost and registration is open up to the first day.